Bucks begin road challenge at Houston

Beginning a stretch where 10 of their next 13 games are on the road, the Milwaukee Bucks face the daunting challenge of stopping James Harden and the Houston Rockets tonight.

After a slow start to the season, the Rockets (23-16) have won 12 of their last 14 games and have moved into the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings.

Harden is tearing it up at 33.7 points, 8.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game.

The game will feature a true contrast in styles among the pivot men. Bucks center Brook Lopez has become a major player n the Bucks’ “Let it fly” offense, shooting an average of 6.9 3-point attempts per game, making 2.6. Rockets center Clint Capela doesn’t shoot the 3-pointer at all. He’s averaging 17.6 points and 12.8 rebounds per game.

The Bucks (28-11) are one game behind the Toronto Raptors (31-12) for the best record in the league.